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What ever happened to … Joe Del Rio

What ever happened to … Joe Del Rio

The American-Statesman first brought you the story of Joe Del Rio back in May 2010, after authorities discovered he had what they said was a multilevel, bunkerlike crawlspace beneath his home that threatened the safety of nearby residents.

A subsequent lawsuit by Del Rio — who was 70 at the time — is headed for trial in June.

Del Rio, a Vietnam-era veteran and former part-time security guard for Austin’s City Council, now lives in South Austin and claims the city unfairly condemned his home. His lawyers said officials acted out of “post-9/11 hysteria” and unconstitutionally seized his home without compensation.

The city law office released a statement in response to a request for comment: “The current litigation process related to Mr. Del Rio’s claims against the city continues and we look forward to final resolution to this matter.”

After a complaint to building code officials, authorities — including SWAT officers — descended on Del Rio’s neighborhood at 7 a.m. on a Saturday in 2010. Del Rio said he was handcuffed and questioned at a nearby school for about 10 hours before being told he couldn’t return home.

Del Rio described the space under his home as a Cold War-era fallout shelter that he later added onto and adapted into a workspace. Officials also found inoperable hand grenades and about a dozen firearms.

Attorney Lou McCreary said the city billed Del Rio $90,000 after filling the basement with up to 33 truckloads of concrete.

A hearing is set for Feb. 20 on a pretrial motion; the trial is set for the week of June 17.